Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11821, 19 November 1901, Page 1

Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.

« » The monthly meeting was held at 11 a.m. on Monday. Prese-nt : Messrs Corkill (Chairman), Oliver, McDonald, Sutton, Leppor, Stohr, Mackuy, and Scott. When the minutes of last meeting were read Mr Sutton said that with reference to the claim of the Auckland Board for the maintenance of the man Mackay ho found, on enquiry, that the*nan was i ractically an Auckland resident, and that his wife and family resided in that district. Under the circumstances the Taranaki Board was not liable, Mr Sutton apologised for absence of formal minutes from the Hawera House Committee. He had ha<l a great deal of private business to attend to, and therefore could not attend to Hospital affairs. Mr Corkill sai(^ the New Plymouth Committee had no formal report to submit, but the Committee had had several informal meetings. He re- 1 ported that the Committee had had some difficulty in filling the vacancy for a nurse. On Dr. Loatham's recommendation a probationer lately employed at the Masterton Hospital had been engaged. She would be paid as a second year probationer, but would rank junior to all the probationers now in the Board's employ. The new probationer would be on trial. The custodian at the Old People's Home bad arranged an excellent poultry yard and was now stocking it. The custodian had also had an excellent kitchen garden, which he (the Chairmao would like j-!»}3''(}ne members to see. He had np_. doubt that the caretaker, Mr 1 Lister, would be able to supply the Hospital and Home with a plentiful supply of eggs, poultry, and vegetables. The Chairman also stated that the Wardsman had had a great deal of extra work lately, and the Committee recommended a bonus of £5. 'He moved that that sum be granted.— Mr Scott : What is liis salary ? — The Secretary : £75 a year. — Mr Mackay opposed Such a bonus. The Board if they were going in for this sort of thing, should give the staff a bonus all round, from the surgeon to the youngest probationer. He opposed- such a motion on principle. — The motion was put and carried. Ayes (5), the Chairman, Messrs Sutton, Lepper, Stohr, Scott ; Noes (S), Messrs Oliver, Mackay, and McDonald. - The Chairman also stated that Dr MacGregor, the Inspector' of Hospitals, etc., had recently paid a " surprise visit " to the Hospital and Home, and had afterwards waited on him. Dr. MacGregor as usual had nothing but praise about the conduct of the Hospital. With regard to the Home the Inspector had several faults to find. He did not like the -site or design. 'He considered the building should have been placed in an area of some 50 acres, which could have been cultivated. Mr Corkill pointed out to the Inspec tor the Board did not cater for the needs of men who were able. to do hard work, but for the physically weak and helpless. The Inspector, however, said he had noticed the institution was well managed. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Wilkinson and Liardet. The former stated that he would have to cease being a member after next meeting. Mr C. Perm, Stratford, wrote accepting position of Returning Officer. Inspector of Hospitals wrote with reference to the Board's, resolution stating that nine members were sufficient to constitute the Board. The letter pointed out that in .view of the increase of population the representation, had been increased under the Act, and if the Taranaki- Board desired a change they would have to wait for 12 months to urge it. The Department also wrote with reference to tlje claims made by the Board for maintenance of patients from Awakino, in the so-called King Country. The Board stated they would consider any claims sent in by" the- Board. It was decided to send in a list,- and also to acquaint the Waikato Board, who are similarly situated, of the Department's letter. The Napier Board wrote advocating the establishment of a central hospital for treatment of cancer cases. — The Board agreed that such an institution was desirable, and passed a resolution agreeing to co-op-The Board decided to notify the crate. Auckland Board that the Taranaki Board is not responsibile for the maintenance of the man Mackay. The police reported on the question of the father of an unborn child The woman was residing in the Hawera district.— Mr Lepper : Can we claim when the child is not yet born ?— The Chairman : Yes ; there is a special Act to meet the case.— The Board decided to put the police on the tracks of the p.ulative father. Mr Mackay spoke on the case of the Bilk family at Midhirst. The police will be asked to report. The case of Mrs Kilpin was left to the Chairman with power to act. Dr. Leatham sent in a monthly report on the Hospital. At the date of the report (November 18)' there wefe 16 males and 7 male . patients in the Hospital. ' Dr. Westenra, of Hawera, will be asked, to send in a similar report under the new by-laws. The question of relieving a destitute Maori woman and five children at Smart Road was considered. It was stated that the husband, Hone Hape Amerika, had gone away to Normanby, and had taken unto himself another wife. The Rev. F. A. Bennett was taking an interest in the case. — Mr Corkill said ho had made enquiries into the matter, and at present it would appear that the Board could not make the Maori maintain his wife and children.but he understood there was an Act which would meet the case if its provisions were made operative in this district. As there was a probability that the Maori, who only owned three acres, might return with his new bride, the Chairman said that he understood that the woman and her children would be protected.— The Board decided to get legal - opinion on the whole question of liability of the Maori husband. The usual accounts were passed :—: — New Plymouth Hospital, £187 11s 6d ; Charitable Aid, £150 9s Id ; Hawera Hospital, £58 14s 7d. Mr Mackay moved that m future all accounts be certified to.— The Secretary. stated>'that he checked all accounts.— Mr Mackay said-'hfc would, withdraw the resolution on the understanding that in future the accounts be also certified to. - The Board then went into Committee to consider the unpaid accounts for Hospital maintenance. It was decided to press for several accounts. mmm _ wmmm . ....